Thursday, June 25, 2009

Weekend What's What 6/25-6/30

ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS

This weekend is all about glitz, glam and gayness! Twin Cities Pride is in full swing and we couldn't be more excited. After all, how often can one get away with wearing sequins, feathers and rhinestones at the same time? Let your rainbow flag fly, or just come along for the ride as Pride takes over our fair cities for a weekend of amazing festivities. There's plenty to do and see, so dust off that tiara and make the scene!

xo-l'étoile

THURSDAY JUNE 25TH

Dennis Dumm Photo exhibit

@ Sen Yai Sen Lek2422 Central Avenue NEMinneapolis

7pm-9pm/free

Cyclist and photographer Dennis Dumm was tragically struck and killed by a semi-truck while riding his bike to work on May 20th. Tonight, at trendy Northeast Thai restaurant, Sen Yai Sen Lek, Dumm's most recent works will be on display for all to see. Using a technique called cross processing and a camera with a plastic lens, Dennis’s images are striking, colorful and almost otherworldly. Proceeds from the sale of his work will go to Transit for Livable Communities, a nonprofit working to reform Minnesota’s transportation system. If you can’t make it, you can donate in Dennis’s name here, or stop in to see the show this summer, as it will be on display through September 25th.

CLICK FOR THIS ART EVENT AND MORE AT MPLSART.COM

THURSDAY JUNE 25TH (THROUGH FRIDAY)

Queertopia

@ Bedlam Theatre 1501 S. 6th St. West Bank, Minneapolis

7:30pm / $8-10 (or pay what you can)

What queer paradise would be complete without flamboyance and a lot of cabaret? Tonight’s “Queertopia” features a radical, raunchy evening of eclectic queer artists’ performances guaranteed to shock, amuse, befuddle and bedazzle. Curated by Jeffry Lusiak and hosted by Maren Ward and Molly Van Avery, “Queertopia” includes fab works from locals, Karen Sherman, The Wreck Family, the 20% Theatre Company, Tyler Jensen, Tish Jones, Empowered Expressions, Xavier Rice and l’étoile fave, Jaime Carrera. And because in cabaret, double headers are better than one, “Queertopia” returns Friday night for an encore performance. If this is queer paradise, you better believe we’re knocking on heavens door.

Celebrate the collaborative birthdays of some of our favorite ladies! l'étoile cohorts Jahna, Di, and Kelsy of Eclecticoiffeur turn another year wiser and prettier tonight (or within the vicinity of tonight anyway) with a little help from their friends at Clubhouse Jager. Dance the night away with electro-smoothies Lookbook and DJ party crew "Pizza Beach." Throw in a bit o' video magic from Alphasuede, $5 EC-tinis, and lots of glitter and you've got a recipe for a fabulous Thursday evenin'.

CLICK THE IMAGE FOR THE FACEBOOK EVENT

FRIDAY ART PICK: PAUL RICHMOND

Paul Richmond is a prolific contemporary gay artist who explores the development of sexuality in a fascinating series of paintings which cleverly blends figurative and abstract elements in a sensitive yet controversial approach. His idyllic and poetic subject matter make his work seem like the illustrations of a gay fable or fairy tale with a tinge of pop culture influence and a sprinkling of glitter here and there.

CLICK THE IMAGE FOR THE PAUL RICHMOND SITE

FRIDAY JUNE 26TH

Purple Rain Sing-A-Long and Costume Contest

@ First Ave 701 1st Ave. N. Minneapolis

8pm / 18+/ $3

Almost 27 years since its release, the cult classic Purple Rain continues to be First Ave’s most iconic claim to fame. Forget Halloween, tonight First Ave encourages you to channel your hottest Appollonia, Morris Day, or of course, Prince himself -- you may just win an awesome prize! Celebrate the 80s magic that was Purple Rain and join in the ultimate sing-a-long during a screening of Purple Rain on the First Ave stage. Don’t remember all the words? Don’t worry, a cheat sheet will be on hand to help you belt out “When Doves Cry.”

One of our favorite things about summer, is the over-abundance of garage sales each weekend -- and MNFashion brings us an uber-stylin' sale that will put all others to shame. Over the last few weeks the fancy dames at MNFashion have been gathering up the Twin Cities best in gently used, stylish clothes, accessories, books, sewing supplies, beauty products and a few fun surprises. The sale will be open Friday and Saturday, however, Friday is a special preview with a $10 admission that gains you first dibs on the sale items. Friday will also include a silent auction, with items like Guthrie tix and designs from locals Ruby3, George Moskal and Frances Zerr and a pair of Christian Louboutin shoes, plus appetizers and wine. Saturday the sale will be free and open to the public.

CLICK THE IMAGE FOR THE MNFASHION SITE

FRIDAY JUNE 26TH

Boys and Toys

@ Gallery 122 at Hang It 122 8th St. SE. Minneapolis

7-10pm / Free

Well-known hair wizard and salon owner, Denny Kemp, found art long before he dove into the beauty biz. From realism to fantasy, Kemp’s artwork ranges from paint, pencil drawings, and more recently, photography. His latest body of work, “Boys & Toys,” features pretty, pretty "boys" set against vivid colors and within alluring environments. Tonight’s opening reception is sponsored by PBR, so crack a cold one and gaze upon some hot art. “Boys & Toys” run through August 10th.

If you’re at this block party emceed by Foxy Tann, you won’t miss a thing. Nosh on organic food, let the North Star Rollergirls swerve around you, and get down to music by Tina Schlieske, l’etoile favorites Black Blondie, Dykes Do Drag, Little Miss Sweettooth and the Daisy Dukes and Sick of Sarah. Whew! This is a zero-waste event, so you can party guiltlessly, knowing you’re only helping the planet with the sweet vibes you’re emitting.

Prepare for a scandalous evening! DJ Shiek and DJ Ajent Orange remind you that dancing is one of the best ways to show your pride. Enjoy drink specials throughout the night, like $3 X-Rated shots $3 Skyy Vodka drinks and $5 Skyy Redbulls until 11:30. VIP tables are available, which benefit Foundation IX, so book them now, you Very Important Person!

Not to gush, but if there is any band in town poised on the edge of a national breakthrough, it’s Gospel Gossip. After an insane year of playing their hearts out in all our favorite dive bars around town – not to mention, an amazing set at this years Voltage - Gospel Gossip has finally gained the attention of music lovers, bloggers, and critics across the country (yes, even Pitchfork) for the beautiful noise they create. Join them, along side Lookbook, MuteEra, and Black Horse for the release of their brilliantly packaged new album Dreamland, by far one of our favorite local releases of the year.

CLICK THE IMAGE FOR THE GOSPEL GOSSIP MYSPACE

FRIDAY JUNE 26TH

Bomp V: Bedlam Blitz

Our pals at BRLSQOTHEQUE are back again with Bomp V: Bedlam Blitz! Tonight's edition is inspired by the Rocky Horror Picture Show, so channel your best Transylvanian tranny and add enough glitter to blind your Grandma (it is Pride Weekend after all). This month's Bomp will be one for the books, as usual, so get thee to the Bedlam Theater for a two-level dance jam that will blow your mind. Featuring DJs Jonathan Ackerman, Naughty Boy, Cities of Gold, Jimmy 2 Times, Mike the 2600 King, Wezz Winship, Shannon Blowtorch, the Moongoons, Paper Tiger, and Rambo Salinas. Crazy!

Sponsored by l'étoile magazine, of course!

CLICK THE IMAGE FOR THE FACEBOOK EVENT

COOL LINK: I LOVE DEAR JOHN

Consider this blog a missed connections for love letters. In all their sappy, longing, angsty glory, these love confessions are a great read, and a great way to secretly tell that lady or man everything you haven’t had the guts to...for all the world to see, of course. It’s good to know people are still lusting and loving -- and thanks to the internetz, we can read all about it!

CLICK THE IMAGE FOR THE I LOVE DEAR JOHN SITE

SATURDAY JUNE 27TH (THROUGH SUNDAY)

Pride Festival

@ Loring ParkMinneapolis

Saturday: 10am-10pmSunday: 10am-6pm

A lot of us wait all year for the Pride Festival and surrounding pre-and after-parties. Everyone’s in a great mood, there are six stages full of entertainment, music and drag, fireworks, and more. Plus, people are dressed their best of the year, and there are more than enough vendors and food to keep you over-stimulated. Paddle across the lake in Loring Park, stop by the country-western dancing tent, toss back a few in the beer garden and check out some history in the Tretter Collection’s exhibit. If you didn’t get enough today, come back tomorrow for part deux!

Here is the plan: Get to the Bedlam at 5 for the art show curated by Kelly Brazil, drink some wine and hobnob for a bit. At 8, grab a good spot in the theatre for some saucy cabaret hosted by Gogopimp Tiff. After all, an event called the Dirty Queer Show ought to deliver some fabulously risqué entertainment. Stick around til 10 for the dance party DJ’d by the one and only Shannon Blowtorch.

Listen up ladies! Because this one’s just for you. The all-night dirty dance frenzy recently voted “The Best Place to Meet Single Lesbian Women” by City Pages, Booby-Trap, takes over the Soap Factory tonight. Featuring the Dykes in the City Fashion Show showing off a haute new line of clothing, BT Go Go Girlz shakin' it all night long, a special performance by The Booby Trap Girlz, and sexy sets from the hottest lesbian DJs in MPLS, DJ Daniela, DJ Shiek and DJ Ajent Orange. Cash bar only, so don’t forget your Benjamins!

Chartering the beautiful Lake Minnetonka waters on a four-hour tour, the gorgeous, enclosed sternwheeler, “Lake of the Lake” sets sail for their annual sunset boat cruise tonight, rain or shine. DJ Jonathan Ackerman provides the tunes as you sip on cocktails, enjoy appetizers and boogie on board. Boarding spaces are limited so get your tickets early!

CLICK THE IMAGE FOR MORE INFO

SATURDAY JUNE 27TH

Sawdust City / Digitata EP Release

@ 1st Amendment Arts1101 Stinson BlvdMinneapolis

7-10pm / 21+ / All Ages

Part art opening, part CD release show, and part dance party – First Amendment’s got everything you’re looking for to kick off a Saturday night. Music will commence at 8:30 with a set by the hilariously named Marijuana Deathsquads (members of Building Better Bombs), followed by a rare performance by electro-rockers Digitata, playing together for the first time in a year and a half. Get your hands on Digitata’s brand new, limited edition, hand silk screened EP while peeping new paintings, prints, photos and more from artists Eric Lee, David Jensen, and Chance Orth. Rumor has it, one of the artists has even fashioned a wine-fountain for your drinking pleasure. DJ sets from BRLSQOTHEQUE Sound System will round out the evening.

CLICK FOR THIS ART EVENT AND MORE AT MPLSART.COM

SATURDAY JUNE 27TH

Attitude City

Head to Clubhouse Jager this evening and indulge your disco dance fantasies with the boys of Attitude City. Sip icy cocktails while steaming things up on the dance floor all night long to the tune of electro, disco and more. While you're there, be sure to get your mitts on a ticket to the Attitude City Yacht Party, coming up July 19th -- it's the social event of the season and tickets ALWAYS sell out fast!

CLICK THE IMAGE FOR THE AC SITE

SUNDAY MUSIC PICK: THE GOSSIP

Say what you will about Beth Ditto and The Gossip’s switch to the Sony major label. We still think they’re the bee’s knees. Besides there’s nothing like a full-figured, lesbian riot-grrl from Arkansas to stir things up. Yes, the infamous Beth Ditto and crew have struck again with their new EP Music For Men, released last month, and it hasn’t left our iPods since. Portland’s bluesy, dance-punk, queercore band, The Gossip, has been paired with girl-fronted politica bands, Sleater-Kinney and Le Tigre. The band also packs a controversial punk rock punch for their openness about sexuality and Ditto herself, who has raised some eyebrows with her nudie poses on the cover of NME music zine and others. The new EP, Music For Men, keeps us dancing with the indie-electro, “For Keeps” and the old-school bluesy punk vibes of “Dimestore Diamond,” which remind us of how giddy-up gospel Ditto’s vocals can be.

Bonus: Can’t get enough Ditto? British fast-fashion chain, Evans, hits stores July 9th with a trendy, 80s-tastic plus-size clothing line from Ditto herself. Take that American Apparel!

CLICK THE IMAGE FOR THE GOSSIP MYSPACE

SUNDAY JUNE 28TH

2009 Ashley Rukes Pride Parade

@ Starting at 3rd & HennepinContinuing to Loring ParkMinneapolis

9am pre-party, 11am parade / Free

Wave those rainbow flags! Rock that rhinestone-encrusted cod piece! Put on a damn wig, for crying out loud! It's time for the annual Ashley Rukes Gay Pride Parade -- the biggest and brightest parade in all of Minnesota! Spectate and socialize all along Hennepin Avenue this Sunday morning as a flurry of flashy floats and fancy characters prance gaily by, all in the name of PRIDE. The parade begins at 3rd & Hennepin and continues all the way down to Loring Park, where the Pride Festival will already be in full swing. We can think of no better way to cap off a weekend of freedom and merriment. Yay for gay pride!

Here at l'étoile, we are completely obsessed with drinking good Bloody Marys! Our favorite meal-in-a-cup/hangover cure has been taken to the next level at Eat Street staple, Azia. From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. each Sunday you can indulge in the ultimate build-your-own Bloody Mary bar. Featuring not only all the standard Bloody-friendly fare, but also glorious additions such as red curry, serano chili, lychee and pickled ginger -- just to name a few. Put your own spin on bloody sake, bloody beer, and other bloody concoctions made with vodka, tequila, whiskey and gin. Accompany your drink with something off Azia's new "Sunday Snackin'" menu featuring such delectables as Pork Steamed Buns, Sweet Potato Fries with Curry Aioli, Kobe or Crabcake sliders, Tempura veggies and more. What could make this even more enticing? Everything on the menu is ONLY $5 -- food AND bloodys. What a deal!SPECIAL DEAL FOR L'ETOILE READERS: Mention l'etoile and recieve a free appetizer off the Bloody Sunday menu with the purchase of any Bloody Mary!

CLICK THE IMAGE FOR THE AZIA WEBSITE

TUESDAY JUNE 30TH

JagerCon: Sci-Fi Tuesdays

@ Clubhouse Jager923 Washington Avenue N.Minneapolis

Every Tuesday10 p.m. / 21+ / Free

Join hosts Kate Iverson (l'étoile magazine, Secrets of the City) and Beth Hammarlund (l'étoile magazine, A Tiny Machine) every Tuesday Night for JagerCon! JagerCon is a weekly sci-fi party featuring screenings of classic nerdy movies and television shows -- topped off with 2-4-1 cocktails all night served by Star Captain Paul!

Mingle with like-minded sci-fi geeks, discuss D&D strategies, and use that Captain Picard impression you've been perfecting to pick up chicks at the bar. Snort-laugh the night away while bragging about your MMORPG addiction and enjoy a cozy, nerd-friendly environment.

I’m so excited that Rodarte designers Kate and Laura Mulleavy took home the CFDA for Womenswear Designers of the Year. I adore these two. They regularly turn out my favorite collections and always have the most entertaining stories about their process. (They famously watched four horror movies a day for a year for inspiration.)

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